Jake Hoback Knives

SeppukuSamurai

SeppukuSamurai

Joined
Aug 19, 2014
Messages
1,435
For those of you who do not know - THEY ROCK.

I've owned a number of "mid-techs" throughout my collecting and I'm going to give the overall best knife nod to the Hobacks.

On my second Kwaiken/Kwaiback and looking for more!

Not only are the knives phenomenal from a fit/finish/tolerance standpoint, they're built like TANKS.

Plus, Jake is a great guy. Responds to emails HIMSELF. Asked him about having a different finish put on one of my knives (one that hasn't even been released yet, pre-orders available now) and he was not only willing to do it but willing to do it for basically no charge at all.

That means a lot to me. There are makers out there who you can't even get a response from.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on this maker and maybe some pictures of your personal Hobacks!

Have a great night, guys.
 
Hobacks rock! The quality of the knife is excellent, I have the kwaiback and the A15 and both are great knives. The A15 is my favorite knife that I own!
 
Others have good words about his designs, quality and customer service. I'm particularly fond of his Tanto/Kwaiken: Folding kwaikens

I'd get one of his Kwaikens at $475 but not at $675!
 
RamZar said:
Others have good words about his designs, quality and customer service. I'm particularly fond of his Tanto/Kwaiken: Folding kwaikens

I'd get one of his Kwaikens at $475 but not at $675!
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I'll agree with you regarding the price, to some extent, as $675 is a lot to ask for a mid-tech. I will say that compared to other lower priced knives in the same bracket, I think you do get more with the Hoback.

I buy everything (pretty much) these days on the secondary market. The Kwaibacks you're referring to regularly go for around $500 on the forums which is about standard compared with other makers.

I have two.....get one. Or two :D
 
They look pretty heavy duty although I've never had the chance to handle one in person.
 
How do you guys like the flipper on the kwaiback as it looks rather pointy. I mean when you flip it alot does the pointy looking flipper protrusion start making your finger sore?
 
d762nato said:
How do you guys like the flipper on the kwaiback as it looks rather pointy. I mean when you flip it alot does the pointy looking flipper protrusion start making your finger sore?
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I'll post you a picture of my Kwaiback compared to an XM24/SMF, it's a beast.

It lacks nothing in terms of being heavy duty.

On the detent - No way. It rockets open. Hobacks have an adjustable detent, it can fire like a bullet or fall out freely. One of the smoothest flippers I've owned, period. I flip mine like....1000 times a day. Lol
 
shqxk said:
I agreed that $675 is way too much for a simple Ti midtech kwaiken .
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Simple would not be a word I'd use to describe the Kwaiback. There is an incredible amount of workmanship devoted to every knife.

Watch the disassembly of one on Youtube.

I'm not arguing with you on the price, I'd like to see it go down as well and I personally won't spend that much on a knife because if I do I'll be reluctant to use it. Both of my knives were purchased on the secondary market/traded for.

However, if people are willing to pay for it then I guess it's worth it to them. Most of his models are sold out pretty much across the board.
 
ChrisKnife said:
I'll post you a picture of my Kwaiback compared to an XM24/SMF, it's a beast.

It lacks nothing in terms of being heavy duty.

On the detent - No way. It rockets open. Hobacks have an adjustable detent, it can fire like a bullet or fall out freely. One of the smoothest flippers I've owned, period. I flip mine like....1000 times a day. Lol
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Thanks for the info Chris, but at that flipping rate your going to wear it out. :D
 
ChrisKnife said:
I'll post you a picture of my Kwaiback compared to an XM24/SMF, it's a beast.

It lacks nothing in terms of being heavy duty.

On the detent - No way. It rockets open. Hobacks have an adjustable detent, it can fire like a bullet or fall out freely. One of the smoothest flippers I've owned, period. I flip mine like....1000 times a day. Lol
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I'd like to see that comparison shot too - I'm very tempted by the Kwaiback. I have an A15 UHEP and love it. The adjustable detent is tits.
 
Attempted to post em but the narc website restrictor blocked me.

I'll get em up when I return home.

Honestly, length wise/Blade Width/Blade Stock/Handle Stock are pretty much all the same, where the Kwaiback is different is when it's closed. It's significantly thinner closed as the blade sets perfectly lined up with the handles. I'd also like to say the tolerances are MUCH tighter.

If you have the A15 and love it I doubt you'll find anything to be disappointed with. I've been eyeballing the A15 for a while now, I really want the stoneage edition. The HRD Detent really is epic! Leaves the whole "How's the action" question out completely. I've had less than desirable detents on multiple Hinderers, which sucks because I'd probably love them just as much if that weren't the case.
 
I love my Kwaibacks! I have 2 and a carbon fiber on order. But I don't feel they are more robust than my Hinderer's, especially my Fatty XM18. If you ever take a Kwaiback apart look how much of the blade pivot area is missing due to the internal stop pin. Plus bearing pivots in general are more fragile than the traditional pivot on the XM.

Not knocking the Kwaiback, as I said its one of my favorites and I own a few with more on the way. They just don't seem as purpose built for robustness as the XM knives.









 
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Biginboca said:
I love my Kwaibacks! I have 2 and a carbon fiber on order. But I don't feel they are more robust than my Hinderer's, especially my Fatty XM18. If you ever take a Kwaiback apart look how much of the blade pivot area is missing due to the internal stop pin. Plus bearing pivots in general are more fragile than the traditional pivot on the XM.

Not knocking the Kwaiback, as I said its one of my favorites and I own a few with more on the way. They just don't seem as purpose built for robustness as the XM knives.









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Thanks for the pic, bro!

I've wanted to try putting my custom ZT deep carrys on my Kwaiback for sometime I'm stoked to see that they fit!

I'll definitely agree with you on the robustness, what I really was meaning to say was that for anything I would foresee using my folding knife for, it'll more than handle it. I've put mine through their paces thus far and they haven't disappointed. Its got some thick handle slabs/blade stock, definitely more than what I was expecting prior to receiving mine.

Let us know how you like the CF model! I'm so tempted but I feel like I might like the extra heft the solid titanium handles bring to the table...my buddy above has one pre ordered as well. I've got my DLC model sent into Jake as we speak having the new "Fallout" finish applied. Can't wait! :D
 
I think that the Kwaibak is one of the greatest designs ever. I have a mid-tech one but would love a custom. I do find the blade grinds a little obtuse.
 
Zidfeldts said:
I think that the Kwaibak is one of the greatest designs ever. I have a mid-tech one but would love a custom. I do find the blade grinds a little obtuse.
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Unfortunately while one of the two I own had an awesome edge, the other did not.

All is well as the Edge Pro Apex makes short work of factory edges! :cool:
 
ChrisKnife said:
Thanks for the pic, bro!

I've wanted to try putting my custom ZT deep carrys on my Kwaiback for sometime I'm stoked to see that they fit!
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The ZT clip doesn't fit directly I had to modify the clip. The holes arent dead on, but it can be made to work with some dremel time, lol

Here's a pic of the Kwaiback blade out of the knife to show what I was talking about. This pic came from google images, it's not mine...

 
The fact he drills and taps for lefty carry really makes me want one. I appreciate that he does that.
 
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